Knitting, crochet, boxer dogs and life!

This week end I released another pattern! This one was the Criss Cross Cabled Headband which matches the previously released Cowl. It has eye catching cables within cables that are actually much simpler to knit than you would think!

And as it’s that time of the year, I thought I would offer a coupon code to celebrate. For 15% off in my Etsy Shop simply use the code BLACKFRIDAY when checking out.

If you prefer Ravelry then I have a code AUTUMN2015 which will give you the same discount.

I just wanted to share the good news! Today I have released a free pattern for a short cowl to celebrate the launch of a brand new yarn on Craftsy – Cloudborn Fibres. This is the perfect project for the cold weather we have been having recently. And it knits up quite quickly so if you are still looking for a project for Christmas gifting then look no further!

Double Dutch Cabled Cowl

The Double Dutch Cowl is knitted in aran weight yarn, it is knitted flat and seamed at the end so the construction itself is quite simple. The cable is a little more complicated than some other cables you may have knitted in the past. But once you have got the hang of it you will be knitting away in front of the TV, all nice and cosy whilst the cold weather does what it wants to outside.

And more good news! I have also released a pattern for a headband/earwarmer to match. It is shaped at each end and wider in the front section. It comes in a few sizes so you are bound to find one that you are comfortable with.

Double Dutch Cabled Headband

The cowl is available as a free download on Ravelry and Craftsy. The Headband is a paid for pattern, also available on Ravelry and Craftsy. They are both available in my Etsy shop, if you buy the headband the cowl comes as a free automatic download with it.

Keep your eyes open over the next few weeks for the matching boot toppers too. They are currently in the testing phase. So as soon as I know the pattern is error free I will be releasing it.

Over the next few days I am going to write a blog post on the stitch pattern used to create this eye catching cable.

This week has been another very busy one for me. I have been writing more knitting patterns and getting them up for testing. I have also managed to publish one for sale.

Criss Cross Cabled Cowl

It is a short cowl, knitted flat and seamed at the end. The eye-catching cable within a cable detail at the front is actually much easier to do than it looks. It takes less than 100g of aran weight yarn and is a pretty quick knit. If you are looking for something to knit up for a Christmas gift the pattern is available from Ravelry, Love Knitting, Etsy and Craftsy. And before too long I will be releasing patterns for the matching headband and boot toppers! Check out my Ravelry Group for current coupon codes.

Today I have also signed up to take part in a Black Friday event on Etsy as part of the Craft Britannia Team. I will be offering 15% off everything in my shop from 27-30th November with the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY. There will be many other shops taking part too with the same code. Check out further details on my Facebook page.

This week has also been a busy one for another exciting reason. A very good friend of mine came to visit and we spent the week looking at houses. She is hoping to move into the area. And of course I am also hoping that she does. I showed her around the area a little and also introduced her at the knitting group I go to – Guisborough Knitwits. I just have to hope she comes back!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for updates on new patterns, discounts and calls for test knitters. I also post random pictures of the dog and things I am currently knitting.

Today I heard Adele’s new song, called Hello. She has been away for a while and so have I. Which is why I thought it would be appropriate to name my first post in months the same as her first song.

The reason I have been AWOL is that I suffered a loss. And to me it was such a huge loss it just knocked me sideways. My beloved boxer dog, Bessie, suddenly began to show signs of being unwell. I took her to the vet and she was in kidney failure. I was devastated. Within the next week or so she deteriorated rapidly, despite spending a lot of time in doggy hospital. At the beginning of June, aged just two years and two months Bessie passed away. She had Juvenile Kidney Disease which has been badly affecting the boxer community but until it touched our lives I was completely unaware of it.

Anyone who follows me on Instagram will know that apart from knitting, my favourite thing to post photos of was my morning walks with Bessie in the fields. As it was coming up to the summer holidays I decided I would take some time out and come back to my knitting in the autumn, hopefully recovered and refreshed.

After a few weeks I realised, not only did I miss MY dog, but I also missed having A dog. The walks and the companionship. The need to leave the house everyday for a spot of exercise and fresh air regardless of the weather or how I was feeling. We decided to give puppy walking a go for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Last month Yuma arrived. A little ball of energy that my son very aptly described as ‘Adorable but annoying’! I guess we had forgotten how different having a puppy is to having an adult dog! We are getting into a bit more of a routine now though.

It has meant, however, that I have had less time for my knitting pattern writing than I am used to. Sometimes this can get a little frustrating! I have ideas whirling around my head and I just don’t have the time to work through them quickly enough. I have been working on a couple of new accessory sets, consisting of headband, short cowl and boot toppers.

The sets are both up for testing in my Ravelry group – Designs By Emma. I am always looking out for new test knitters, so if you are interested please sign up to any of the open tests or in the Testers thread for future patterns. I am really excited to get something new released. Watch this space! I do promise not to be gone for quite so long next time!

Last year the Tour de France started in Yorkshire. It was a huge success. Crowds lined the route and it created a great sense of belonging amongst local residents. Many Yorkshire knitters had spent hours knitting little jerseys which were then hung along the route.

This week I have been back to work after a lovely two week Easter break. For the first week we went to Portugal, near the town of Silves on the Algarve. We stayed at the absolutely gorgeous Villa Carlota which was right at the top of a hill and so we had a great view!

Villa Carlota, Silves, Portugal.

A fabulous view!

The weather was a beautiful sunny 25 degrees most days. After running around for most of the time we just wanted a relaxing few days. So we didn’t really go very far or do very much.

Hot tub!

A couple of times we wandered into town, to take a little look at the castle or the church, to investigate the football tournament going on at the local ground or to do a spot of shopping.

View from our balcony.

Most of the time we just sat by the pool and enjoyed the sun and a chat. It is nice to just talk when you don’t see your husband for months on end!

The Hubster and me!

On the last morning I enjoyed my breakfast whilst reading my book by the pool. I knew I was going back to colder weather and really wasn’t looking forward to it!

Last morning by the pool.

And we felt it was compulsory to take some last minute selfies! So here are me and the kids!

Callum and me.

Caitlin and me.

The second week was spent trying to catch up with jobs around the house. As always there is never enough time to get everything done. But Callum now has his computer back with a new power supply, motherboard and cooler after the last liquid cooler went doolally and leaked all through it. The garage has been cleaned out and the garden tidied up. Phew!

A nice tidy garden for Bessie!

Since my husband went back to work last weekend I have been trying to catch up with some Designs bits and pieces. My newest pattern had come back from the tech editor and test knitters.

So here is the Corn Rows Cabled Cowl! I have just released it this week on all my usual sites, Etsy, Ravelry, Love Knitting and Craftsy.

And on Etsy I have just started listing some pattern bundles. Just choose from the patterns listed and tell me which you would like when you check out. I currently have 3 patterns for £6 and will soon be adding 4 for £8, 5 for £10 and 7 for £14. All of these patterns are usually available for £2.50 each. So if you would like to buy all three Corn rows patterns on Etsy follow this link.

I have also sent my newest pattern to the tech editor and test knitters this week. Inspired by our holiday to Portugal, and the tag line of our villa – sea of emotions. Watch this space!

When looking on a yarn or ball band you will notice a number. This tells you how thick the yarn is and what kind of needles you might need and even the type of project you might use it to make. This is because the weight, or thickness, will affect the appearance of what you make. It will also make a difference to the amount of stitches and rows you will need to knit a sample swatch of 4cm square.

0 Lace – also called 2-ply or fingering weight. This yarn is most commonly used with 2mm or 2.5mm needles. It will produce a very delicate fabric.

1 Superfine – also called 3-ply or baby. Mostly used with 2.75mm, 3mm or 3.25mm needles. It produces a very fine material and is great for detailed shawls or socks.

2 Fine – also called 4-ply, sport or baby. Mostly used with 3.5mm, 3.75mm or 4mm needles. Great for making baby clothes, sock and very lightweight jumpers. It produces very delicate textures and detailed colour work.

3 Light – also called DK (Double Knit) or worsted. Mostly used with 4mm or 4.5mm needles. This is a great all-purpose yarn used for anything from baby clothes to jumpers and scarves.

4 Medium – also called aran or medium worsted. Mostly used with 5mm or 5.5mm needles. This is great for slightly thicker jumpers, scarves, baby blankets and is very popular for making cabled jumpers. It is slightly quicker to knit up than a DK yarn.

5 Bulky – also called chunky. Mostly used with 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm or 8mm needles. Perfect for knitting winter gifts such as hats, leg warmers, thick scarves and shawls. Very quick to knit with due to its thickness and the size of needles.

6 Super Bulky – also called super chunky or roving. Mostly used with 9mm or 10mm needles. This is the thickest type of yarn you are likely to come across in most shops. It is really thick and warm so perfect for those winter knits of scarves and blankets. Perfect for beginners!

You can also find yarns on-line that are so thick you can use your arms to knit with them!

My favourite thickness of yarn to knit with is aran weight. It is slightly quicker to knit up than DK but it isn’t too thick and chunky for accessories. You can find some of my patterns to use aran weight in my Ravelry or Etsy stores.